If it walks like a duck and it quacks like a duck it’s probably a duck, right? Well, in today’s world it’s more likely a “Super Duck” bred by the industrial farm boys to waddle less but provide the greatest ratio of breast meat to body weight.
Well, if you would rather raise happy waddling ducks, I’d like to suggest you research some of the heritage breeds. A heritage breed is one that was used on the farm of the past before industrial farming started breeding speciality breeds solely for maximum production.
Hereford pigs, a heritage breed from the 1920s
We have chosen two heritage breeds for our homestead. The Dominique chicken and Hereford hogs. Like heirloom seeds, we feel these heritage genetics should be preserved for the unique contribution they make to the overall diversity of their species.
A great place to learn about heritage breeds is the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. From the ALBC website they describe their mission as:
“The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy is a clearing-house for information on livestock and genetic diversity.
These breeds are threatened because agriculture has changed. Modern food production now favors the use of a few highly specialized breeds selected for maximum output in a controlled environment. Many traditional livestock breeds have lost popularity and are threatened with extinction. These traditional breeds are an essential part of the American agricultural inheritance. Not only do they evoke our past, they are also an important resource for our future.
The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, founded in 1977, is the only organization in the U.S. working to conserve rare breeds and genetic diversity in livestock.”
Dominique Chicken
You can visit their site at: http://www.albc-usa.org and request a breeders catalog which lists farms who are breeding and raising heritage breeds.
{ 0 comments }
